Training for paper judges
Paper judges will receive papers in the mail at least one week before the contest in order to pre-read the papers. Judges should take notes as you read the papers, and should bring these notes to the contest. Judges will interview the students who wrote the papers at the contest.
Please complete the following to be ready to judge papers:
1. Click on Intro for All on the menu above, and read through this information.
2. Click here to understand the 2019 theme: Breaking Barriers in History. “Relation to theme” represents 20% of a project's evaluation. Students must clearly connect their topic to the theme, and show both short-term and long-term consequences.
3. Click here for detailed paper judging instructions which include rules for all categories and specific paper rules. Please read these carefully.
4. Note takers will be provided for you to take notes as you read the papers. After judging, you and your team will adjourn for lunch, review your notes, come to a consensus on the project, and fill out one Judging Evaluation form for each project. Click here to review the Judging Evaluation form. Click on the Introductory Info for all Judges tab for evaluation tips. When evaluating, remember:
5. Click on the links below to view sample papers. We encourage you to read the paper of your assigned division, as age may play a factor in quality (Junior Division is for middle-school students (grades 6-8), while Senior Division is for high-school students). Both of these papers advanced to the national contest. The Senior Division paper won second place in the national contest that year. You will see a wide range of quality and ability in the papers that you evaluate-- these examples are on the higher end of the judging spectrum.
Junior Division Paper: Pivotal Politics (Note: the theme was "Turning Points in History")
Senior Division Paper: Man, Myth, and Icon: The Life and Legacy of Che Guevara (Note: the theme was "Revolution, Reaction, Reform")
6. One of the pleasures of judging is to meet the students. They are nervous, excited and proud to explain their work. The interviews are informal and brief, only 10 minutes. Be friendly and positive, and remember that you are talking to middle and high school students.
7. Click here to take the online judge's quiz. The quiz reinforces the most important points of judging that you will want to remember during your time at the contest.
Judging procedures will be reviewed the morning of the contest. If you have questions, please contact us: [email protected] or 303-315-1789.
Thank you so much for your attention to this training!
Please complete the following to be ready to judge papers:
1. Click on Intro for All on the menu above, and read through this information.
2. Click here to understand the 2019 theme: Breaking Barriers in History. “Relation to theme” represents 20% of a project's evaluation. Students must clearly connect their topic to the theme, and show both short-term and long-term consequences.
3. Click here for detailed paper judging instructions which include rules for all categories and specific paper rules. Please read these carefully.
4. Note takers will be provided for you to take notes as you read the papers. After judging, you and your team will adjourn for lunch, review your notes, come to a consensus on the project, and fill out one Judging Evaluation form for each project. Click here to review the Judging Evaluation form. Click on the Introductory Info for all Judges tab for evaluation tips. When evaluating, remember:
- Students will read your evaluations!
- You are evaluating the work of young students. Expect quality, but do not hold them to college or graduate student standards.
- Students come from all walks of life, including English Language Learners.
- Your comments should be constructive and positive.
- Do not make negative comments (i.e. "Why did you even enter this contest?" "Your project was the worst one that I saw all day!"), and be careful how you phrase your comments.
- Don't be overly optimistic or positive either. (i.e. "Your project is definitely going to nationals.")
- It’s your job to inform them – in a constructive and positive manner – how they can improve so they can be more successful next time.
- Your goal is for the students to understand why you evaluated their work the way you did.
5. Click on the links below to view sample papers. We encourage you to read the paper of your assigned division, as age may play a factor in quality (Junior Division is for middle-school students (grades 6-8), while Senior Division is for high-school students). Both of these papers advanced to the national contest. The Senior Division paper won second place in the national contest that year. You will see a wide range of quality and ability in the papers that you evaluate-- these examples are on the higher end of the judging spectrum.
Junior Division Paper: Pivotal Politics (Note: the theme was "Turning Points in History")
Senior Division Paper: Man, Myth, and Icon: The Life and Legacy of Che Guevara (Note: the theme was "Revolution, Reaction, Reform")
6. One of the pleasures of judging is to meet the students. They are nervous, excited and proud to explain their work. The interviews are informal and brief, only 10 minutes. Be friendly and positive, and remember that you are talking to middle and high school students.
7. Click here to take the online judge's quiz. The quiz reinforces the most important points of judging that you will want to remember during your time at the contest.
Judging procedures will be reviewed the morning of the contest. If you have questions, please contact us: [email protected] or 303-315-1789.
Thank you so much for your attention to this training!